MPG heroes - Open-tops

MPG HeroAudi A3 1.9 TDI ConvertiblePrice £20,750 Target Price £20,200Economy — Average 55.4mpg; Out of town 65.7mpg; In town 44.1mpg

Believe it or not, Britain’s the biggest market for drop-tops in Europe. If you’re holding out for a decent summer in ’09, the new A3 Cabriolet is worth a look. Unlike VW’s excellent Eos, it’s available with the trusty 1.9 TDI, which means you get an extra 7mpg. The engine’s a bit gruff, but it’s otherwise it’s a great car.

Budget buyVauxhall Tigra 1.3 CDTi AirPrice £15,880 Target Price £14,523Economy — Average 61.4mpg; Out of town 72.4mpg; In town 48.7mpg

Don’t expect swift performance, but the Tigra is very economical and cheap to buy, especially if you haggle hard. Even with the roof down its luggage space is decent, and Air trim gets alloys, electric front windows and a CD player. Air-con will set you back another £500.